John Terry will miss Chelsea’s FA Cup fifth-round tie at home to Manchester City on Sunday but Guus Hiddink believes the club captain could be fit for the following weekend’s league game against Southampton.

Terry attempted to train on Thursday but the hamstring injury suffered against Newcastle last Saturday troubled him once more. He did not take part in training on Friday, instead spending the morning with the club’s physios.

Hiddink is also concerned about bringing the 35-year-old back too soon. “He will not be fit for this weekend,” the interim manager said. “I just happened to see him, he worked with the physios. Yesterday he was trying a bit on the pitch but he still has too many problems to be fit for the weekend.

“We have a week, I hope next weekend he will be available. I cannot predict it but we have to be a bit cautious with him as well because he likes to be there every day. We must be careful. Maybe next weekend.”

Branislav Ivanovic is likely to partner Gary Cahill in central defence once more against City, while Matt Miazga should be on the substitutes’ bench again.

“Of course it is a disappointment because [Terry] is the leader of this club and team but I am not going to complain and moan. The guys who are putting their effort in his place have full confidence and in Paris they had a decent performance.”

Unlike his counterpart Manuel Pellegrini, Hiddink has vowed not to make too many changes to his team and believes this competition is Chelsea’s best route to Europe next season.

Alexandre Pato and Falcao remain out, but the former is progressing well in his individual pre-season programme, while Miazga “is close, he is fit” after undergoing a separate fitness plan having signed from New York Red Bulls last month.

“Not many or hardly because we take this very seriously,” Hiddink said when asked about potential changes. “We have a serious approach to the FA Cup. We will take [City] and the FA Cup very seriously.

“It’s difficult to get fourth position. And regardless of what it brings, it’s nice to go for the ultimate target, which is the FA Cup.”